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Local Christmas trees in short supply

A number of local Christmas tree growers have had to shut down early because they've run out of trees.

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Updated: 10:23 PM CST Dec 11, 2013

Local Christmas trees in short supply

A number of local Christmas tree growers have had to shut down early because they've run out of trees.

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Updated: 10:23 PM CST Dec 11, 2013

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WEBVTT HOPING TO PICK OUT AND BRING YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE THIS YEAR.. YOU MAY HAVE TO HUNT FOR IT. SEVERAL FARMS IN THE AREA HAVE ALREADY CLOSED BECAUSE THEY HAVE RUN OUT OF TREES. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN'S ALEX HOFFMANN EXPLAINS WHY.. IN THIS NEW STORY TONIGHT. HUNTING FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE A WEEK AND A HALF INTO DECEMBER WAS ALMOST TO LATE FOR MARK WEBER.( Mark Weber: I come here every year and not as many trees to start with it looks like. ) IN FACT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 44 YEARS YONKEY PINES SOUTH OF HICKMAN WILL CLOSE AFTER THIS WEEKEND...A WEEK EARLIER THAN NORMAL.( Art Yonkey: We don't have enough trees to stay open that long) AND HE'S NOT THE ONLY CHRISTMAS TREE GROWER RUNNING OUT OF TREES THIS SEASON.( Don Spilker: We've been selling tree ever since back in the seventies. And I have never had to tell a person we don't have trees available. ) DON SPILKER SAYS A LOT CUSTOMERS TOOK AVANTAGE OF THE GREAT WEATHER THE WEEKEND AFTER THANKSGIVING AND SNATCHED UP A LOT OF TREES... BUT THERE WERE LESS TO PICK FROM.( Don Spilker: We got empty plots we should have trees in them. ) SPIKER SAYS DROUGHT IN 2011 AND 2012 WIPED OUT NEARLY ALL OF HIS NEW PLANTINGS THOSE YEARS. AND SOME OF HIS MATURE TREES.( Don Spilker: Last year we lost trees this size. a lot of trees this size that would should have been selling this year. ) GROWERS WERE ALREADY TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH AN INCREASED DEMAND CAUSED BY LESS CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS IN THE AREA AND CUSTOMERS WANTING BIGGER TREES. ( Art Yonkey: It takes awhile to grow these trees. It's not like planting corn. ) 7 YEARS FOR A SCOTCH PINE... 10 TO 12 FOR A FIR. THAT'S YONKEY ALWAYS HAS TO SAVE SOME TREES FOR NEXT YEAR.( Mark Weber: Lets go with that one. ) FOR WEBER.( nat snd: cutting tree ) HE FOUND HIS PERFECT TREE JUST IN TIME.( Mark Weber: I'm pretty glad I came today and didn't put it off any longer. ) NEAR HICKMAN, alex hoffman KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PRECUT TREES AVAILABLE AT LOCAL STORES. BUT IF YOU WANT TO CUT YOUR OWN..YOU MAY WANT TO CALL AHEAD BEFORE YOU MAKE THE TRIP.

Local Christmas trees in short supply

A number of local Christmas tree growers have had to shut down early because they've run out of trees.